Drop-cradle and elevator for cash-carriers



(No Model.)

J. 0. CORAM.

DROP GRADLE AND ELEVATOR FOR CASH CARRIERS.

No. 278,510. Patented-May 29,1883.

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" JOHN 0. ocean, or LOWELL, MAssAonUsnr'rs.

SPECIFICATION forming part o f Letters; Patent No. 278,510, dated May 29, 1883. Application filed May 5, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern 1 Be it known that], JOHN (3. Comment Lowell, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in DropGradlesand Elevators for Gash-(lartiers, of which the following is aspeciiication.

This invention is directed, mainly, to means for receiving from the track and for delivering therefrom to the proper point the ballor'other receptacle used in cash-carrier and analogous systems for conveyingmoney or other articles tromone point to another; but it is also applicable to the elevator which is employedto deliver the cash carrying receiver to the return-track leading from the delivery-point. It

canbest be explained and understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings,in which Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of two tracks, the lower one the delivering-track, the

upperone the return-track, the former provided with a drop-cradle and the latter with an elevator embodying my invention. Fig. 2 isaviewot' one of the double sheaves orpullcys.

The lower track, A, isinclineil in a direction opposite to the inclination oi the upper track, B, as usual The track A terminates at the point where the carrier is to be delivered. From itsend extendsdownwardly a flat smooth rp d, (i, preferably ofmetahwhich is intended to i'drm a guide upon which the dropcradle can slide. At its upper end, where it joins the track, it has an easy curve, so as to permit the drop-cradle to move without cramping.

The cradle itself consists of a bracket or guide-frame, D, which fits and is adapted to slide upon the guiderod, and curved arms E,

or their equivalent, to form a cradle to receive the carrier. The normal position of the cradle is the elevated one shown in full lines in Fig. 1. In this position itstands on the curve part of guide-rod and on the irolongation of the track, so as to receive the carrier, which runs from the track into the cradle formed by the arms E. \Vhcn this takes place the weight of the carrier, superadded to that of the cradle, causes the cradle to descend until it reaches its lowest point, (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1,) where it is within easy reach of the person for whom the carrier is intended. In order to impart tothe drop-cradle capacity for acting inthe mannerjnst indicated, I employ a counter-weight, F,.which is heavier than the cradle alone, so that when the latter is empty it will automatically be brought to and maintained in the position represented in full lines. ()n the other hand, however, the weight, while heavier than the cradle alone, is lighter than the combined weightot' the cradle and carrier, so that when the carrier is in the cradle the latter will at once descend to the position indicated by dotted lines, where the carrier'is represented at x. I prefer toconnect the counterweight with the cradle by means of a double sheave or pulley, G, consisting of a large peripherally grooved or flanged pulley, a, and a considerably smaller pulley, b, the two being so united as to revolve in unison. This double sheave or pulley is supported in a suitable hanger below the track; The'cra- .dle is connected to the large pulley a by a strap or cord, 0, extending from it, and fastened at the other endto the periphery of the large pulley. The counter-weightis connected to the small pulleyby a cord, (7-, which is fast; enedto the periphery of said pulley, and is wound two," three, or more times around the same. By this arrangement of the two pulleys I am enabled to obtain a considerable range of movement l'or.the cradle with a comparatively small movement of the counterweight, which is a feature of someimportance, particularly when thetrack, as it often does, comes down near to the shop-counter. The relative weight of the parts can be so adjusted that the drop-cradle willrise andiall with but little noise or jar. The double-pulley arrangement is equally applicable to the elevator on the return-track B, where its use is attended, perhaps, with even more advantage than in connection with the drop-cradle, for the reason that it permits the attendant with but comparatively slight movement of thepullingcord to raise the elevator to a considerable distance. This arrangement is indicated in -the-drawings in connection withthe upper track, B, where D E is the elevator-cradle, C is the guide-rod, and G is the double pulley. The pulling-cord d, attached to the small pulley and wound several times around the same,

' Inasmuch as the carriers may follow one another on the delivery-track A, so closely that the following carrier will reach the terminus before the one in advance can be taken from the cradle, I provide an automatic stop mechanism for arresting the second carrier at the terminus until the cradle can again rise. This mechanism consists of a stop-lever, H, pivoted centrally at f in the hanger l at the end of the track, having its end adjoining the point where'the cradle comes bent or curved downwardly, as indicated, so as to be in the path of the cradle. The otherend of the stop-lever is weighted, or heavier than the bent end. so that when the lever is released from control of the cradle its weighted end will drop into the path of the carrier, which will then be stopped. When the cradle is in its elevated position it will strike and depress the bent end of the stop-lever, and thus raise the lever out of the path of the carrier, as indicated in full lines. As soon, however, as the cradle commences its descent the stop-lever will be released, and will at once fall into the position indicated by dotted lines, where it will remain until the cradle again rises and rcassumes its normal position.

-The arrangement hereinhefore described is applicable not only to way-stations on the cash-carrier track or tracks, but also to the central station from which the tracks radiate.

I state, in conclusion,-that I do not broadly claim the combination, with the track, ot'an antomatically-operating counterweighted dropcradle; 'nor do I claim, broadly, the employment, with such a cradle, of a stop mechanism operated lrom or by the cradle to prevent the .passage ot'a carrier upon descent of the cradle.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, ist 1. The combination of the track, the guide rod or rods extending downward from said track, and the cradle mounted on and adapted to slide up and down on said rod or rods, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with the track and the vertically-movable cradle, of the double sheave or pulley, consisting of a large pulley connected by cord or tape to the cradle, and a small pulley carrying a separate cord or strap, by which the double pulley can be rotated in a direction to raise the cradle.

3. The combination of the track, the dropcradle vertically movable on or in suitable guides, and the double sheave or, pulley, consisting of a large pulley connected by cord or tape to the cradle, and a small pulley carrying a separate cord or strap, from which is suspended a counter-weight, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination of the track, the stoplever, weighted so as to normally drop into or across the path of the carrier traveling upon said track, and the vertically-movable dropcradle, formed and arranged, when in its elevated position, to tilt or raise said lever outof the path of the carrier, substantially as and for the purposes hereinhefore set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 2d day of May,1883.

JOHN C. OOBAM.

Witnesses:

A. T. ATHERTON, Geo. B. 00mm. 

